Editor’s note: This article contains descriptions of mental health related to suicide. If you are struggling or know someone who is, call the 988 Crisis Line to be connected with a trained crisis specialist with Mental Health America of Indiana, or other specialists who provide free, confidential assistance 24/7.
A welfare check on Christmas Eve led an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officer to talk a 34-year-old man off the ledge of a downtown parking garage.
At 6:25 p.m., on Dec. 24, 2025, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police were called to check on a person at the downtown parking garage located at 350 N. Delaware St., about a block from the Indiana War Memorial.
Arriving officers encountered a suicidal man on the top ledge of the garage. They kept their distance while communicating with the man, not fully identified in a police video shared online.
Bodycam footage from Downtown District Officer Christopher Kaleel shows him asking the man what’s going on, before the edited footage shows the officer stating, “We don’t want to put anyone in jail for being mentally ill.” The man yells, “You did me,” and Kaleel states, “I’m sorry that happened to you. We just want to help you however we can.”
The video, edited down to 2 minutes and 48 seconds, focuses on the man’s interaction with Kaleel. It’s unclear how long the full interaction was between the man and all responding officers.
Kaleel asks him what he could do to get the man to come off the ledge to talk to him.
The conversation between Kaleel and the man then veers to tidbits about the rap artist, Eminem. The man states that Eminem is from Missouri, and Kaleel says he thought Eminem was from Michigan. The rapper was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, but grew up around the Detroit area, the man says.
“Are you an Eminem fan?” Kaleel asks.
“I like one of two of his songs,” the man responds.
The video then shows the man asking if the situation was ruining Kaleel’s Christmas.
“Not at all,” Kaleel states. “I want to make sure you have a good Christmas tomorrow.”
Police said that by keeping a conversation with the man for 30 minutes, Kaleel was able to gain his trust. When Kaleel states, “Come over here with me, man,” footage shows the man getting down from the ledge. He was still hesitant to get completely down until Kaleel said, “I give you my word. No one’s going to hurt you or tackle you.”
Kaleel continues to encourage the man and asks him to sit on the guard rail. As the man walks over to it, Kaleel asks if he can sit with him.
“I’m not going to hurt you, I promise. Can I shake your hand?” Kaleel said to the man. “You took a good chance of trust today, and I appreciate that. OK? So, hey. Let’s get you some help, man.”
Officers made an emergency detention and he was escorted to an ambulance to be taken to a hospital.
It’s unclear if the man, who IndyStar was unable to reach, is still being treated.
Sgt. Lance Dardeen, who oversees the department’s Mobile Crisis Assistance Teams, known as MCAT, said situations involving mental health are something officers see every day.
“Our approach is to slow things down, treat the person with dignity and respect, and get them connected to the appropriate resources,” Dardeen shared in a statement to IndyStar. “IMPD officers are trained in Mental Health First Aid, and Officer Kaleel is also a trained CIT [Crisis Intervention Team] officer. These trainings give officers confidence when interacting with persons experiencing a perceived mental health crisis.”
Dardeen said calls like the one Kaleel went to are not about enforcement, and instead, they are about building trust and connecting people to the best resources.